Al Mayo: Paul Drones—McConnell Silent

While I applaud Rand Paul’s principles put forth in his 13 hour filibuster against drones, I have to wonder exactly what he and Mitch McConnell are thinking right now. Paul managed to either become a national figure in one day, or pull the grandstand play of the year — depending on who you talk to. McConnell was just not heard from at all in the past two days. All of this while a dozen Republican Senators met with President Barack Obama at a boutique hotel for a working dinner.  While none of the attendees spoke about details, there was acknowledgement that some progress was made on ending the sequester. As I write this Obama has scheduled lunch with GOP Congressman Paul Ryan to continue the bipartisan effort — whatever it might be.

Did Obama — knowing what Paul was about to do — plan this on purpose to conduct bipartisan business away from the limelight? My guess is yes. Which means Paul was used as a covering tool for the administration’s own low-key budget negotiations. Something I’m sure Paul didn’t bargain for, and something McConnell was shaking his head about in a DC office, no doubt moanig about rookies in politics.  By the way, McConnell was NOT one of the 12 Senators invited to dinner. So while Rand Paul was droning on about drones, some genuine BIPARTISAN work was being done by both parties, and Kentucky’s two elected Senators were no where near the real action.

Think about that and remember it. For all the hue and cry from McConnell, Paul, and the rest of the far right about no bipartisanship in Washington — the very day it was actually happening, they were nowhere to be found, and one of them may have actually offered unwitting political cover for the President.
Has Rand Paul actually accomplished anything for Kentucky voters? Or has he been running for President since he got to Washington?  Judging from his numerous appearances on Fox News, I’d say he has nothing but political ambition going for him right now. While that may play well for a very narrow voter base, my gut feeling is that Kentucky Republicans are not be all that pleased about Paul’s media assault.

As for McConnell? He has a potentially tough reelection bid coming and I’m sure he wishes Rand Paul would stay far away from him. BUT, if McConnell is continually left out of the bipartisan political efforts currently underway in Washington — by his choice or otherwise — he risks becoming what he fears most. Totally irrelevant.